AI Researcher Salary in 2024

Salary details

The average AI Researcher salary lies between USD 129,700 and USD 220,000 globally. It represents the overall compensation/gross salary amount for the working year (before deductions like social security, taxes and other contributions), not including equity/stock options or similar benefits.

All data shown are full-time equivalent (FTE) salaries. Part-time salary information has been extrapolated to its FTE value.

Last updated: Dec. 15, 2024

Top 20 Job Tags for AI Researcher roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with AI Researcher job listings are Research, Machine Learning and Python. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job tags in 2024 and the number of open jobs that where associated with them during that period:

Research | 121 jobs Machine Learning | 115 jobs Python | 105 jobs Computer Science | 84 jobs PyTorch | 77 jobs Engineering | 77 jobs NLP | 71 jobs Deep Learning | 69 jobs LLMs | 64 jobs TensorFlow | 57 jobs PhD | 53 jobs Computer Vision | 51 jobs Generative AI | 49 jobs Generative modeling | 41 jobs ICML | 33 jobs Mathematics | 32 jobs Open Source | 30 jobs ML models | 30 jobs Statistics | 30 jobs NeurIPS | 30 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for AI Researcher roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with AI Researcher job listings are Career development, Conferences and Startup environment. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job perks or benefits in 2024 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Career development | 106 jobs Conferences | 68 jobs Startup environment | 39 jobs Equity / stock options | 25 jobs Flex hours | 25 jobs Health care | 23 jobs Parental leave | 20 jobs Medical leave | 20 jobs Competitive pay | 18 jobs Wellness | 16 jobs Team events | 15 jobs Salary bonus | 14 jobs Insurance | 13 jobs Flex vacation | 10 jobs Transparency | 4 jobs Home office stipend | 3 jobs Cell phone stipend | 3 jobs Fitness / gym | 2 jobs Signing bonus | 2 jobs Relocation support | 2 jobs

Salary Composition for AI Researcher Roles

The salary for an AI Researcher typically comprises a fixed base salary, performance-based bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or equity, especially in tech companies. The composition can vary significantly depending on the region, industry, and company size. In tech hubs like Silicon Valley, the base salary might be higher, but bonuses and stock options can also form a substantial part of the total compensation package. In contrast, in regions with a lower cost of living, the base salary might be lower, but the overall package could still be competitive due to other benefits. In larger companies, bonuses and stock options are often more generous, while smaller startups might offer more equity to compensate for a lower base salary.

Steps to Increase Salary from an AI Researcher Position

To increase your salary from an AI Researcher position, consider the following strategies:

• Specialize in High-Demand Areas: Focus on niche areas within AI that are in high demand, such as deep learning, natural language processing, or computer vision.
• Pursue Leadership Roles: Transition into roles that involve leading projects or teams, such as a Lead AI Researcher or AI Team Manager.
• Contribute to High-Impact Projects: Work on projects that have a significant impact on the company’s bottom line or strategic goals.
• Enhance Your Skills: Continuously update your skills and knowledge through advanced courses or certifications.
• Network and Build a Strong Professional Brand: Attend conferences, publish research papers, and engage with the AI community to build a strong professional reputation.

Educational Requirements for AI Researcher Positions

Most AI Researcher roles require at least a master's degree in a relevant field such as computer science, data science, mathematics, or engineering. A Ph.D. is often preferred, especially for positions focused on cutting-edge research and development. The educational background should include a strong foundation in machine learning, statistics, and programming.

Helpful Certifications for AI Researchers

While not always mandatory, certain certifications can enhance your profile and demonstrate your expertise. Some valuable certifications include:

• Google Professional Machine Learning Engineer
• AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty
• Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate
• TensorFlow Developer Certificate

These certifications can validate your skills in specific platforms and tools commonly used in AI research.

Experience Required for AI Researcher Roles

Typically, AI Researcher positions require several years of experience in related fields. This experience can be gained through academic research, internships, or industry roles in data science or machine learning. Experience with programming languages such as Python or R, and familiarity with machine learning frameworks like TensorFlow or PyTorch, is often essential. Additionally, experience in publishing research papers or contributing to open-source projects can be advantageous.

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